Media Seek Peterson Search Results

Scott Peterson has never been named by Modesto Police as a suspect in
his wife's disappearance.

SACRAMENTO, California (CNN) -- A Stanislaus County judge is
considering how much will be released to the public about what was
found in police searches in the case of Laci Peterson, the pregnant
woman who disappeared Christmas Eve in Modesto.

The judge heard a motion brought by the Modesto Bee newspaper and
Oakland television station KTVU asking for the release of a sealed
134-page document detailing the results of eight search warrants.

The searches included those of the home Laci Peterson shared with her
husband, Scott, as well as of Scott Peterson's vehicle and boat.

The judge agreed to a private hearing with police investigators and
the district attorney to decide what information would be made
public. That hearing will take place within the next week.

Members of Laci Peterson's immediate family were in court to support
the police stance that the documents should remain sealed until the
investigation was complete.

While never naming Scott Peterson as a suspect, the Modesto police
investigation focused on Peterson and confirming his contention that
he had been gone fishing the day his wife disappeared.

Police said in March they consider Laci Peterson to be a victim of a
violent crime. She was nearly eight months pregnant when she was last
seen.

"This investigation began as a missing person case, and we were all
hopeful that Laci would return safely. However, we have come to
consider that this is now a homicide case," said Modesto Police
Detective Doug Ridenour.